Musicians

How André Previn’s Teenage Gig at MGM Led to Oscar Glory

Bill Thompson
Photo by Bert Verhoeff for Anefo

The executives at MGM studios who hired a 17-year-old kid in 1946 probably had no idea that that kid would go on to win four Academy Awards and ten Grammys as a composer, conductor, and performer.

Andre Previn was still in high school when MGM gave him a job in their music department, doing piece work. His first official movie credit came in 1949, and over the next dozen or so years Previn was involved in creating the musical scores for over 50 MGM films.

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After leaving Hollywood Previn established himself as a talented conductor for several major orchestras, and a jazz pianist.

In 1991 he wrote a memoir of his 16-year MGM career, a book he called No Minor Chords. And that’s when I had the chance to interview him.

So here now, from 1991, Andre Previn.

Andre Previn died in 2019. He was 89.

A Legacy Revealed: Hank Williams’ Daughter Jett

Bill Thompson

Country music legend Hank Williams was married twice. Between those two marriages Williams had a relationship with a woman named Bobbie Jett. And they had a daughter, who was born five days after Williams’ death from heart failure.

But it took some 30 years for that baby girl to learn the real story of her parentage.And it took years of court fights for the full story to emerge, and for her to obtain her share of the Hank Williams legacy.

Get your copy of Jett Williams’s book

Jett Williams became a professional musician in her own right, and in 1990 she told her story in an autobiography called Ain’t Nothin’ As Sweet As My Baby. That’s when I met her.

So here now, from 1990, Jett Wililams.

Jett Williams is 71 now. Her last record was released in 2017.

Raffi: How a Children’s Singer Became an International

Bill Thompson

The3 Washington Post once referred to Raffi as “the most popular children’s singer in the English-speaking world.”

And generations of fans would probably agree.

Raffi has been entertaining youngsters since the 1970s, when he turned his folk singing ambition to address a younger audience, inspired by his wife, a kindergarten teacher.

Get your copy of Raffi’s book

In 1998 Raffi published his autobiography, called The Life of a Children’s Troubadour. And that’s when I had a few minutes with him.,

So here now, from 1998. Raffi.

Raffi will be 76 in July. He still performs publicly, and his most recent album is “Penny Penguin” released earlier this year.

Unlock Your Creative Potential: Insights from Judy Collins

Bill Thompson

Over a seven-decade career Judy Collins has proven to be one of America’s most popular musicians. But she isalso the author of several best selling books, she’s a painter, she even directed a documentary film that was nominated for an Oscar .

She is unquestionably a well of creativity. But here’s the thing – she says you can be as creative, too.

Her 2005 book Morning, Noon and Night explained her philosophy of creativity.

I have always had so much fun interviewing Judy Collins, and this interview was maybe one of my favorites. So here now from 2005 Judy Collins.

Judy Collins will be 85 in May. Her most recent album was released in 2022.

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John Denver

Maya Angelou

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Echoes of a Legend: John Denver’s Autobiography

Bill Thompson
Photo by RCA Records

When John Denver died in a plane crash in October 1997, the world lost not just a popular singer, but a songwriter whose work touched the hearts of millions.

Among the 300 or so songs that he recorded, some 200 he wrote. He had 33 gold records, and was uncommonly successful in crossing genre lines, from country to adult contemporary to the Billboard Hot 100. .

Both Colorado and West Virginia have adopted John Denver songs as official state songs.

In 1994, John Denver published his autobiography, called Take Me Home. And that’s when I met him.

So here now, from 1994, John Denver.

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Glen Campbell

Jimmy Buffett

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Sister Souljah’s Tale of Urban Life

Bill Thompson

From her earliest days growing up in New York City and later in New Jersey, Sister Souljah was an activist.

Surrounded by the poverty and despair of an urban neighborhood, Sister Souljah made it her mission to try to change things.

She became a strong voice for change, through writing, film, and music.

In 1999,she wrote her first novel, a book called The Coldest Winter Ever. And that’s when I met her.

So here now, from 1999. Sister Souljah.

Sister Souljah will be 60 next month.

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bell hooks

Alice Walker

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From Drummer to Author: Jacob Slichter’s Rock & Roll Journey/

Bill Thompson

If you really want to know what it’s like to be a rock star, just ask one. But you are not likely to get a more honest answer then you will from Jacob Slichter, drummer for the band Semisonic.

Slichter’s 2004 book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star was widely praised for its frank – some would say brutally honest – assessment of the music industry.

Semisonic was formed in 1995, and over the next decade saw the good, the bad, and the really, really ugly of the music business.

Jacob and I talked about his book one fine midsummer day. So here now from 2004 Jacob Slichter.

Jacob Slichter is 62 now. He and Semisonic still perform publicly.

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Darlene Love

Derek Taylor

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Derek Taylor: Behind the Beatles’ Legacy

Bill Thompson

Derek Taylor was a working journalist when he met the Beatles, literally in the right place at the right time as the band was on the cusp of fame in England.

Manager Brian Epstein brought Taylor aboard as the Beatles’ press agent.

Taylor accompanied the boys as they rocketed to worldwide fame, looking on as they transcended music to become cultural icons.

Taylor’s story — as he recounted in his 1987 book called It Was Twenty Years Ago Today — reminds us that the Beatles were not just a band; they were a cultural phenomenon that continues to shape the world of music.

So here now, from 1987, Derek Taylor.

Derek Taylor died in 1997. He was 65.

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Donovan

Graham Nash

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Darlene Love

Bill Thompson
Photo by Montclair Film Festival

Success as a backup singer or studio musician can sometimes lead to a very successful solo career. But in the case of Darlene Love, it was a bumpy road, to say the least.

Even though she was one of the most popular and most in-demand backup singers of the 1960s, working with some of the biggest stars, her path to a solo career was littered with obstacles.

Not least of them was producer Phil Spector.

And by the way, even if you have not heard her music, you have probably seen Darlene Love in one of the l”Lethal Weapon” movies, alongside co-star Danny Glover.

As the 1990s were drawing to a close, Love wrote her autobiography. And that’s when I met her.

So here now, from 1998, Darlene Love.

Darlene Love is 82 now. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Ronnie Spector
Martha Reeves

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Richard Adler

Bill Thompson

In the mid-1950s no one on Broadway was hotter than the team of Adler and Ross.

Composer Richard Adler and lyricist Jerry Ross produced back to back Broadway hits The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees, featuring songs that would remain popular for decades.

Their songs helped make other artists popular, too, like Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney.

But in 1955, the same year Damn Yankees was becoming a hit, Jerry Ross died at age 29 from complications of chronic lung disease.

The loss was both a professional and personal tragedy for Richard Adler.

He continued his work, teaming with other collaborators from time to time, and adapting to changing times.

In 1990, Adler wrote his autobiography, which he called You Gotta Have Heart. And that’s when I met him. So here now, from 1990, Richard Adler.

Richard Adler died in 2012. He was 90.

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Neil Simon
Tony Bennett

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